Flexible mount for a fan and like devices

ABSTRACT

A flexible and stretchable mounting device for a fan or the like which has a shaft, a series of enlarged undulations axially arranged at one end of the shaft, and a head at one end of the shaft, the mounting device being adapted when stretched for insertion into aligned apertures on a chassis and a frame and relaxed to permit a selected undulation to hold the frame in spaced relation to the chassis. The device also includes a break away grip secured to the head for guiding the device into the apertures when stretched and which can be severed from the head when the device is arranged mounted on the chassis and frame.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a versatile flexible fan mount for mounting a fan or other device on a chassis, and more particularly, for example, to such a mount for electronic and other equipment where a fan is used to ventilate a heat producing structure, such as a computer or the like.

Conventionally, such a device may be mounted by means of bolts or other fasteners for connecting a frame to a panel or chassis to which it must be connected. However the frame and chassis vary within limited dimensions from manufacturer to manufacture, and a variety of sizes is usually required for installation. Additionally, in installations where the device is subject to vibration or is mounted on movable equipment, rigid mounting of the device on the chassis can result in making the fan or other device inoperable or causing it to short, particularly if the mount is fabricated from conductive material, such as metal. Further, conventional devices require time and effort to assemble, since many comprises two pieces which must be connected during installation, and that requires extra effort and cost in assembling such devices on a chassis, as well as a the necessity of maintaining a variety of parts and parts inventory.

In the present invention, a flexible mounting device is provided. This device is not only flexible, but it also has a structure which can accommodate chassis and frame holes of varying sizes, and where the fan or other device is intended to be mounted in various positions relative to the chassis on which it is mounted. The instant device also is fast and easy to install, and a variety of parts inventory is not required to accommodate variations in mounting requirements.

Preferably, a mounting device embodying the present invention comprises a resilient stud, preferably fabricated from silicone rubber or the like, which is of a durometer permitting it to be extended or stretched for entry into apertures on a frame and chassis. The stud has a number of axially arranged enlarged undulations or ribs which can be drawn into the apertures when the mounting device is stretched and when relaxed can effectively hold the fan or the like in place.

Mounts for fans and similar devices must meet critical acoustic and vibration standards. These mounts must be used in such a way that no adverse vibration is caused to the fan or the like and its mounting panels, and the flexible mount embodying the present invention meets such standard and does not cause unwelcome vibration or sound problems. The mount embodying the present invention also comprises electrical insulating material, so that undesirable shorting between the mount and its housing is not possible.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the novel mounting device embodying the invention has a break-away end and a medial portion with an enlarged section having a diameter greater than the chassis aperture into which it is inserted, which permits the end adjacent to its panel to be broken away from the stud to provide a neat end for the installation after the fan frame or similar member has been secured to the chassis. This arrangement also provides a spacer between he chassis and the frame or housing for resiliently and securely mounting the fan or other device on the chassis.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to provide a mounting device of the character described.

Another object is to provide a mounting device which is flexible, has insulating properties, adaptable for use in apertures formed in the chassis and a frame or housing for electronic equipment of varying sizes, and is neither subject to excessive vibration nor acoustically objectionable.

Another object is to provide a novel mounting device which can be secured from the chassis side of a assembly.

Another object is to provide a shaft-like novel mounting device with axially extending enlarged undulations.

Another object is to provide a novel mounting device which can be stretched, inserted into and secured in corresponding apertures in a chassis and frame.

Another object is to provide a novel mounting device for a fan or the like which has a break away head on a shaft which can be removed so the mounting device installation is attractive.

Another object is to provide a novel mounting device which has integral spacer means for securing a member such as a fan spaced apart from the chassis.

Another object is to provide a novel fan mount which has a shoulder adapted to prevent contact between a frame and the panel to which it is mounted.

Another object is to provide a novel mounting device which has a break-away grip usable for easy manipulation of the mounting device into a frame or housing and chassis and which is adapted for severing from the mounting device after it has been installed in connecting the frame or housing to its chassis.

Another object is to provide a novel mounting device which is easy to manufacture and use and efficient to install and use.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as this description proceeds taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the mounting device showing the connection of a fan frame to its chassis by means of the novel mounting device embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the mounting device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the mounting device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view of the enlarged undulations on the mounting device embodying the present invention

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the mounting device showing the connecting of a fan frame to its chassis by means of the novel mounting device embodying the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view on a fan frame connected to its chassis showing the novel mounting device in place, with one such mounting device having its break away grip connected and another grip severed from the mounting device.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the mounting device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 is a detailed sectional view of the break away grip for the modified mounting device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a typical frame F is attached to a chassis or panel C by means of a mounting device 10 embodying the present invention. The frame F and the panel C have corresponding apertures A1 and A2 for receiving the mounting device 10. The frame F may contain a fan B which is subject to vibration and requires a resilient mounting system.

The mounting device 10 is preferably molded from silicone rubber and is longitudinally stretchable. This mounting device 10 is preferably formed with a series of enlarged axial spaced undulations 11 having a diameter greater than the apertures A1 and A2 of the frame F and chassis C, and a shaft 12 of the mounting device 10 is substantially the diameter of these apertures A1 and A2. The forward face 14 of these undulations 11 is preferably tapered toward the shaft 12, and the mounting device 10 is stretchable sufficiently to permit the undulations when stretched to pass through the apertures A1 and A2, but when relaxed to grip the walls W surrounding the apertures. The end of mounting device 10 remote from the shaft 12 preferably comprises an axially arranged enlarged disc 15 which has a diameter greater than the shaft 12, and which is spaced apart from an enlarged head 16, which has a diameter greater than the disc 15. This arrangement permits the head 16 to fit against one side of the chassis C and the other side to be spaced apart and abutted by the disc 15.

The modified mounting device 20 is similar to the mounting device 10, except it has a break away grip 27 formed on its head 26. The grip 27 and its head 26 are connected by a web 28, which when bent will sever from the head, leaving a neat appearance of the installation. The remote end of the shaft 22 of this embodiment may be rounded at 29 to permit its easy insertion into the apertures A1 and A2. After installation, the portions of the shaft 22 and the enlarged undulations 21 which are not securing the chassis C and frame or housing F may be removed. As shown, preferably the trailing edge 30 of each enlarged undulation 11 is substantially perpendicular to the shaft 12 or 22.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown in substantial detail, it should be understood that many variations in the invention may be modified or changed without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. 

1. A flexible and stretchable mounting device for a fan or the like adapted when stretched for insertion into aligned apertures on a chassis and a frame and when relaxed to secure said frame and chassis in a selected spaced relation, said device comprising a shaft, and a series of enlarged undulations axially arranged on the shaft.
 2. In the mounting device recited in claim 1, wherein said undulations are arranged adjacent to one another on said shaft.
 3. In the mounting device recited in claim 1, wherein said undulations each have a tapered leading edge.
 4. In the mounting device recited in claim 1, wherein said mounting device is fabricated from silicone rubber.
 5. In the mounting device recited in claim 1, wherein said undulations each have a trailing edge substantially perpendicular to said shaft.
 6. In the mounting device recited in claim 1, wherein said device has a head at one end having a diameter larger than said enlarged undulations.
 7. In the mounting device recited in claim 6, wherein a disc is arranged on said device between said head and one of said undulations.
 8. In the device recited in claim 7, wherein said head is adapted to seat adjacent one surface of said chassis and said disc is adapted to seat against a reverse surface of said chassis opposed to said one surface.
 9. In the device recited in claim 8, wherein said disc spaces said chassis from said frame when said device is in relaxed position.
 10. In the device recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of said shaft is free of said undulations.
 11. In the device recited in claim 10, wherein said shaft portion is substantially the diameter of said apertures.
 12. In the device recited in claim 6, wherein grip extends from said head on a side opposed to said undulations.
 13. In the device recited in claims 12, wherein said grip is secured to said head by a web.
 14. In the device recited in claim 13, wherein said grip is adapted for severing from said head across said web when said grip is manipulated transversely to said web.
 15. In the device recited in claim 1, wherein one end of said shaft opposed to said undulations if rounded for easy insertion into said apertures.
 16. In the device recited in claim 1, wherein undulations and said shaft not contained in said chassis and frame is severed from said device after said chassis and frame are secured together.
 17. In a method for securing a fan or like member to a chassis, the steps comprising stretching a flexible mounting device and inserting it into aligned apertures in said member and said chassis until said member and said chassis are arranged in a selected position, and relaxing said device to secure said member and said chassis in said position.
 18. In the method recited in claim 17, wherein said mounting device has a head, and said device is inserted into said apertures until said device is arranged against said head.
 19. In the method recited in claim 18, wherein a grip is secured to said head, and said grip is not inserted into said apertures.
 20. In the method recited in claim 19, wherein said grip is broken away from said head. 